Device for lighting and extinguishing lamps.



0. JEIDEL, DEGD.

, B. JEIDEL, wmow. DEVICE FOR LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING LAMPS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1913. 1,086,71 7.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

3% W MJH fi fl 2 w a w UNITED STATES PATENT ormon.

OSCAR JEIDEL, DECEASED, LATE 0F BERLIN, GERMANY, BY BETTY JEIDEL, WIDOW OF SAID OSCAR J'EIDEL, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

DEVICE FOR LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING LAMPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

Application filed July 29, 1913. Serial No. 781,881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that OSCAR JEIDEL, deceased, late of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, did invent an Improvement in Devices for Lighting and Extinguishing Lamps, and that I, BETTY JEmEL, widow of said OSCAR JEIDEL, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, and resident of Berlin aforesaid, am entitled as sole heir to administer the estate of the said OSCAR JEIDEL, deceased, and the invention aforesaid, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mechanism for electrically lighting and extinguishing lamps of the type in which an automatically closing valve is arranged in the gas pipe and adapted to be held open :when required.

The present invention has for its object to prevent the valve in the gas pipe remaining open when the gas has not been ignited or becomes extinguished and for this purpose detentmechanism is provided which is actuated from a thermal device arranged in proximity to the burner so as to retain the valve in its open position, after the lighting of the burner, by the act-ion of an electric current, the detent mechanism being tripped however by the passage of a second current. In order to prevent the burner from continuing to burn should the flame have struck back owing to faulty ignition, the thermaldev-ice is so adjusted or arranged that the,

detent mechanism is only brought into oper- The actuation of the gas valve and the operation of the detent mechanism is efi'ected by means of electro-magnet-s, the secondary electromagnet for the detent mechanism being arranged in an auxiliary electrical circuit controlled by the thermal device in a branch of the main circuit through the main electro-magnet controlling the gas valve, so that on breaking the main circuit after the detent mechanism has been actuated, both electro-magnets are dcenergized. When the gas val ve controls a plurality of burners it is preferable to provide a thermal device for each burner and to so arrange the thermal devices in circuit with the auxiliary electromagnet that the detent mechanism is only actuated when all the burners are lighted.

The invention also has. for its object to antomatically cut-oil the gas supply w en the burner is accidently extinguished and for this purpose the thermal device is arranged on the cooling thereof to close another electrlc clrcuit and thereby again actuate the detent mechanism so as to releasethe gas valve, This is preferably efi'ected by means of an independent electrical circuit which is in electrical connection with the battery or other electrical source when the burner is properly lighted, the thermal device being arranged in the circuit and, on cooling or returning to normal posit-ion, momentarily causing a current to pass through this circuit to the auxiliary electro-magnet actuating the detent mechanism;

Instead of so constructing the device that the gas valve automatically closes by gravity or in any other similar manner and retaining the gas valve inits open position by provid-ing detent mechanism, necessitating the.

use of a special electro-magnet in circuit with the thermal device, these two arrangements may be combined by causing the circuit which retains the valve in its open position to close another circuit to close the valve after it has been opened, the latter circuit being only broken when the burner is ignited, while the flow through the main circuit prevents the operation of the secondary circuit until the flow through the main circuit has ceased.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is made to the accompanying drawings, whereon- Figure l is a vertical section through one form of automatic lighting and extinguishing device according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side view, showing the casing in section, of a slightly modified form of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are detailed views adapted to supply gas to a pipe 7 supporting the igniter .0 at its lower end. The gravity gas valve a is supported by means of a valve spindle a passing through the metal core of an electro-magnet b. The armature of the electro-magnetb comprises a disk.8 secured to the valvea and adapted when raised to raise a disk 9 mounted on the spindle of the by-pass valve 10 to admit gas to the igniting device 0. Arranged at the upper end of the valve spindle a is a disk at coacting with the lever, d of the detent mechanism which comprises a ratchet wheel d and a pawl d which is pivoted about a point midway, thereof and adapted to also constitute the armature of a secondary electro-m'agnet f. The valve spindle aalso carries a pawl a which likewise coacts with the ratchet wheel 03. The thermal device comprises a spring tongue 9 composed of metals of different coeflicients of expansion mount:

ed in a casing 11 supported in proximity to the burner and having a contact piece 12 with which the spring 9 is adapted to contact when heated. The thermal device 9 is in circuit with the electro-magnets b and f as will be hereinafter more fully described. On depressing the push-button switch it the battery 13 is connected with the terminal 2' through a lead 14. The current passing from the terminal 21 passes through a lead 2" to the electro-magnet b and after energizing the latter passes through the resistance coil 71 to the terminal '5 and from thence to the igniting device 0 through the lead 71 returning from theigniting device a through the metal casing of the-apparatus to the battery or to earth. The magnet b on being energized raises its armature 8 together with the valve a which simultaneously opens the by-pass valve'lO. Should the burner fail to ignite for any cause, the valve (it returns by gravity to its seat as soon as the push-button switch h is released so that the gas supply is thereby cut oil. If the burner, however, is ignited, the thermal device 9 is heated and contacting with the contacting piece 12 closes the circuit through the electro-magnet f. The current then passes from the electro-magnet 5 through a lead A: to the electro-magnet f and, after energizing the latter, flows to a terminal from the lead la and from thence through the lead 70 thermal device g,-contact piece 12 and from thence through the metal parts of the device either to earth or back to the battery 13. The magnet f thereby attracts its armature (Z so that the latter rotates the ratchet wheel d the space of one tooth. One of the lateral pins 15 upon the ratchet wheel (Z thereupon raises a lever 05 so as to engage beneath the disk a on the valve spindle a and hold the valve or in its open position. button it is now released, the valve (1 is thus held in its open p sition by the lever (1 while at the same time the electro-magnets I), f are deenergized. To extinguish the flame the push button it is depressed, thus energiiing the electro-magnet b .and still further raising the valve a. By this movement the pawl a on the valve spindle a engages the ratchet wheel (Z and turns the same until the pin 15 allows the lever d to fall. If the push button h is now released the valve a will fall and cut 011' the gas sup ply. It will thus be seen that the armature d of the electro-magnet f throws the detent or lever 03 into operation while thepawl aputs the detent 05 out of operation. It will, of course, be readily understood that the gravity valve a might be replaced by any other'suitable type of valve. Fig. 2 illustrates an arrangement similar to that shown in Fig. 1 in which an electromagnet b, an auxiliary magnet f and detent mechanism-cooperating therewith are provided. In this case, however, the thermal deviceconiprises a J-shaped tube 16 containing mercury or other suitable liquid 9 adapted to be forced upwardly in the longer arm of the J on the expansion of thegas Within the chamber 16. The switch con1 prises a spring-controlled lever switch it adapted normally to put the lead a in electrical circuit with the battery 13, as shown in full lines in Fi 2. The pins 15 projecting from the ratchet wheel (Z are also adapted to coact with a spring contact (Z adapted to close a second circuit to close the gas valve automatically on the extinguishing of the flame as will be hereinafter-more fully described. If the switch h is moved from the position illustrated in full linesin Fig. 2 to the position indicated in broken lines, the current passes from the battery 13 through the lead 14 to the terminal 2', lead 2', electro-magnet b, resistance coil 1?, ter minal 2, lead i and igniting device 0 and from thence to earth or back to the battery as described with reference to Fig. 1. The gas valve a will thereupon be opened to gether with the by-pass valve 10 by the energizing of the electro-magnet 6. Should the gas not be ignited the valve (1 will again close on allowing the switch it to return to normal position. If, however, the gas is ignited, the bulb 16 of the thermostat 16 If the press the lead m to the terminal m lead m back will only come into operation when the flame into the longer arm of the Jauntil-it assumes I the position illustrated in Fig. 3. The thermostat 16 is provided with metal contacts m and m at the bottom and upper part of the longer arm of the thermostat so that the current after passing through the electro-magnet Z) (when the switch it is in the position indicated by dotted lines) will pass through the lead m to the terminal. m, lead m contact m through the mercury g to the contact m, from thence through the lead 'mx" to the terminal on, lead m and eleetro-magnet f and from thence through to the battery 13. The electro-magnet f will thereupon be energized and attract its armature (Z and rotate the ratchet wheel (Z a space of one tooth so that the detent (Z will be raised and retain the gas valve a in its open position as already described with reference to Fig. 1. Simultaneously one of the pins 15 on the ratchet wheel (Z will depress the spring d into contact with the terminal 17. If the switch 71. is now released, the afore-mentioned circuit will be interrupted but at the same time the gas valve (1 will be prevented from returning to its closed position. In order to extinguish the flame the switch It is again moved into the position indicated in broken lines thereby energizing the electro-magnet f which again attracts its armature (Z and thereby further rotates the ratchet wheel (Z one .tooth farther so as to free the detent (Z and allow the gas valve 0 to close. Shouldthe flame be extinguished accidentally, the mercury 9 will gradually return to its normal position until it assumes the position illustrated in Fig. 4, when it makes contact with a further contact piece a in the shorter arm of the thermostat. As soon as this takes place the current from the battery 13 will pass through the switch it (which is now in the position illustrated in. full lines in Fig. 2) through the lead a to a terminal n from thence through a lead a connected to the spring (P, from thence to the contact 17, lead a terminal a, lead a and contact a and from thence through the mercury g to the contact m, lead-m, terminal m, lead/mi, electro-magnet f, lead m terminal m and lead m back to the battery 13. The electromagnet f will thus be energized on the cooling of the thermostat and attract its armature (Z thus rotating the ratchet Wheel (Z and releasing the detent (Z to allow the gas valve 64 to close. Simultaneously the spring d will be released and break the circuit therethrough. In order to prevent the retention of the gas valve (1 in its open position when the flame lights back, the thermostat 16 is so adjusted or arranged that it is buriiing properly. It is desirable to actuate the switch by means of clockwork mechi device mav be the switch is again actuated after a short interval of time by the clockwork mechanism the gas valve a will again be opened and as the burner has already been pre-heated by the lighting back of the flame previously, proper ignition will take place and the current will then pass through the electromagnet f to retain the gas valve a in its open position. i

t will, of course, be understood, that the device may be equal] well adapted to liquid or solid fuel burners in which it is desired to prevent evaporation, decomposition or ex plosion when the burner is not ignited.

The thermal devices hereinbefore described are intended as examples only and it will be readily understood that any other suitable U provided which is actuated by the radiation of heat or light.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a modified form of the improved device for actuating rotatable gas cocks.

Referring to Figs. and 6: l8 designates the rotatable gas cock having a diametricallyprojecting rib 19 engaged by the outer ends of pivoted levers 20 and 21 which constitute the armatures of electro-magnets 22'and 23 respectively, the electro-magnet 22 efiecting the opening of the gas valve as shown in Fig. 5 and the electro-magnet 23 eflfecting the closing of the gas valve as illustrated in Fig. 6 The gas valve 18 is further provided with a projection 24: of insulating material adapted to raise a spring contact 25 when the gas cock 18 is in its open position as shown in Fig. 5. The pivoted armature 20 carries a spring finger 26 which is adapted when the armature 20 is in itsnormal position to depress a spring contact 27 into contact with the spring contact 25 when the gas cock is in its open position. The spring contact 25 is connected to a terminal 28 which is connected to one end of the coil of the electro-magnet 28, the other end of which is earthed. The spring contact 27 is con-, nected to a terminal 29 to which is secured one end of a lead 30 in which is inserted a thermal device 31 "subject to the heat of the flame and so constructed as to interrupt the circuit when the flame is' ignited. The thermal device may be either actuated by the heat of the flame or by the light rays therefrom or by the explosion of the gas on ignition or in any other suitable manner. In the example illustrated in Fig. the thermal device 31 comprises a spring of two difl'erent materials, the end of the spring making contact with the contact piece 32 when the gas is not ignited and thereby closing the circuit through the lead 30.

The operation of the device is as follows: If the push button 33 is depressed the current passes from the earthed battery 34 through the lead 35 to the lead 36 and terminal 37 and from thence to the earthed coil of the electro-magnet 22, thereby attracting the armature and opening the gas cock 18 so that the projection 24 thereon raises the spring contact 25. On releasing the push button 33 the armature 20 falls and the spring finger 26 brings the spring contact 27 into contact with the spring contact 25. Thereupon the electro-magnet 23 is put into circuit with the battery. Ifthe push button 33 is releasedxbefore the gas has been ignited, the current passing from the battery 34 through the lead 30 and thermal device 31 to the terminal 29 and from thence through the spring contacts 27 and to the earthed electro-magnet 23, energizes the latter and causes the armature 21 to be raised so as to close the gas cock 19 as illustrated in Fig. 6. The same action takes place should the flame be accidentally extinguished. If the gas is ignited on depressing the push button 33, the thermal device 31 will be actuated and the circuit through the lead thereby interrupted so thatvthe gas valve 18 will remain.

in its open position. In order that this may take place it is, however, necessary that the circuit through the push button 33 remain .closed until the thermal device 31 has been actuated to break the circuit through the lead 30. In order to extinguish the flame the push button 38 is. depressed whereupon the current passes from the lead to the lead 39 direct to the terminal 28 and electromagnet 23, thus raising the armature 21 as illustrated in Fig. 6 to close the gas cock 18. The projection 24 on the gas cook 18 is thusmoved out of contact with the spring contact 25 so that the contact between the spring. contacts 27 and 25 is broken, thus restoring the parts to normal position.

Fig. 7 illustrates a modification in which the gas cook 18 is actuated by means of a ratchet wheel 40qsecured thereto'and provided with laterally projecting insulated pins 41. The ratchet wheel 40 alternately re'flects the opening and closing of the gas cock: The ratchet wheel 40 is actuated by means of a pawl 42 pivoted on a pivotedar mature 43 adapted to be attracted by the series arranged electro-magnets 44 and 45.- The armature 43 is also provided with a spring finger 46 which presses against a sprmg 47 when the armature 43 is raised. The spring 47 is connected to a terminal 48 connected through the lead 49 with the push button 50 and from thence through the lead 51 with one poleof the battery 52. The

spring 47 bears against the spring 53 when the latter' coacts with one of the pins 41 of the ratchet wheel 40 whenthe gas cook 18 is opened but when the gas cock is closed the spring 53 is out of contact with the pins 41 so that the springs 47 and '53 are sepa-. rated from each other. The spring-53 is connectedto a terminal 54 in electrical connection with the battery 52 through the thermal device 55, lead 56 and lead 51. The thermal device 55 is in this case shown as comprising two compound metal springs normally in contact but adapted to separate when heated in a similar manner to the thermal device illustrated in Fig. 5, but of course, any other suitable thermal device may be employed. It will thus be seen that a closed circuit is normally formed from the battery through the thermal device 55,

terminal 54, springs 53 and 47, lead 59, elec-.

tro-magnet 45, electro-magnet 44, terminal 57 and lead 58 so long as the gas cock, is open. j

The operation of the device is as follows On depressing the 'push button 50, the current passes from the battery 52 through the leads 51 and 49 to the terminal 48, lead 59, electro-magnets 44 and back to the battery. By this means the armature 43 is raised thus turning the ratchet wheel 40 by means of the pawl 42 and opening the gas cock. Simultaneously the spring finger .46 is raised and bears against the spring 47 thus separating it from the spring 53 and breaking the circuit through the thermal device 55 Solon as the push button is depressed. On 518 ignition of the gas the thermal device is actuated to break the circuit therethrou h so that the gas cook cannot automatica ly close as long as the burner is li hted.

It will 0 course be understood that the springs 46, 47 and 53 may be arranged in any other desired manner.

, For example, the spring 46 may be combined with a switch asillu'strated in Fig. 2 so long as provision is; made for the completion of the cirv'cuit through the thermal device 55 on the completion of the current flow through the electro-magnets. -It will of course also be understood that any suitable type of gas valve'maykbe employed and that either an automatic igniting device, by-pass flame or other suitable ignition device may be provided. The burner may also, if desired, be

ignited by hand.

The mechanlsm be equally well adapted for controlling-the ignition and extinguishing of gas stoves and the like.

I claim:

hereinbefore described is particularly applicable for lamps but may 1. Apparatus for automatically controlling the gas valve of gas burners, cOmprising v electro-magnets adapted to effect the opening andclosinlg of said valve, adevice in proximity to t e burnerand under the in-' fluence of the flame thereof, and mechanism I net in said secondary circuit, a ratchet wheel,

controlled by said device for retaining said valve in open position when the gas is ignited and in closed position when the gas is not ignited or upon a second energization of one of said magnets.

2. In combination with a gas burner, a self closing valve inthe gas supply pipe, an electro-magnet adapted to open said valve, a thermal device in proximity to the burner, and mechanism controlled from said device for retaining said valve in open position, and for withdrawing such retaining means.

8. In combination with a gas burner, a self-closing valve in the gas supply pipe, an electro-magnet adapted, when energized, to open said valve, a thermal device in proximity to the burner, mechanism controlled from said device for retaining said valve in open position and for withdrawing such retaining means, and means for releasing said valve upon a second energization of said magnet.

4. In combination with a gas burner, a self-closing valve in the gas supply pipe, a main electric circuit, an 'electro-magnet in said circuit for opening said valve, a detent for retaining said valve in open position, a secondary electric circuit, an electromagnet in said secondary circuit for controlling said detent, and a thermal switch in said secondary circuit in proximity to the burner.

5. In combination with a gas burner, a self-closing valve in the gas supply pipe, :1 main electric circuit, an electro-magnet in said circuit for opening said valve, a detent for retaining said valve in open position, a secondary electric circuit, an electro-magnet in said secondary circuit for controlling said detent, and a thermal circuit governing device in proximity to the burner and serving when closed, to connect said electro-magnets in series.

6. In combination with a gas burner, a self-closing 'alve in the gas supply pipe, a main electric circuit, a main electro-magnet in-said circuit for opening said valve, a secondary electric circuit forming a branch of said main circuit, a secondary electro-magnet in said secondary circuit, a detent mechanism actuated by said secondary magnet for retaining said valve in open position, a thermal circuit controller in series with said secondary magnet, and serving, when closed, to connect said electro-magnets in series, a source of current, and a switch for causing a current flow through said circuits.

7. In combination with a gas burner, a self-closing valve in the gas supply pipe, a

main electric circuit, a main electro-magnet in said circuit for opening saidvalve, a secondary electric circuit forming a branch of said mam circuit, a secondary electro-maga pawl for rotating said ratchet wheel constituting the armature of said secondary magnet, a detent for retaining said valve in open position, pins 011- said ratchet wheel engagin said detent, a thermal circuit controller in series with said secondary magnet, a source of current, and a switch for causing a current flow through said circuits. In combination with a gas burner, a self-closing valve in the gas supply pipe, an electro-magnet adapted when energized to opensaid valve, a by-pass valve controlled by said first mentioned valve, an igniting device connected with said by-pass valve, a thermal device in proximity to the burner, and mechanism controlled from said thermal device for retaining said self-closing valve in open position and for releasing the same. 9. In combination with a gas burner, a self-closing valve in the gas supply pipe, a main electric circuit, an electro-magnet in said circuit for opening said valve, a secondary electric circuit, a secondary ,electro-magnet in said secondary circuit, detent mechanism actuated by said secondary magnet for retaining said valve in open position, a ther mostatic device for closing said secondary circuit when the gas is ignited and a switch for controlling said main and secondary circuits.

10. In combination with a gas burner, a self-closing valve in the gas supply pipe, a main electric circuit, anelectro-magnet in said circuit for opening said valve, a second ary electric circuit, a secondary electro-magnet in said secondary circuit, detent mechanism actuated by said'secondary magnet for retaining said valve in open position, a third electric circuit, a circuit breaker in said third circuit operated by said detent mechanism, a

thermostatic device in series with said secondary magnet for closing said secondary circuit when the gas is .ignited, said device also serving to momentarily close said third circuit on the extinguishing of the flame, and a switch for controlling vsaid circuits.

11. In'combination-With a gas burner, a self-closing valve in the gas supply pipe, a source of current, an electro-magnet for opening said valve, a connection from said source to said electro-magnet, a switch in said connection, a secondary electro-magnet connected to said first mentioned electroma et a circuit controller in connection with said secondary magnetfretur'n connect1ons from sald magnets to the source of I current, and detent mechanism actuated by said secondary magnet for retalning said.

valve in open position.

12. In combination With a gas burner, a self-closing valve in the gas supply pi'pe, a source of current, an electro-magnet for opening said valve, in circuit with said source, a switch for controlling said circuit, trolled by said detent mechanism, said 10 a thermostatic device connected to said magswitch being also adapted to control said net, a secondary magnet connected to said connection. i thermostatic device and to the source of In testimony whereof I have aflixed my current, detent mechanism controlled by signature in presence of two witnesses.

said secondary magnet for retaining said BETTY J EIDEL. valve in open osition, a connection from I Witnesses: c said thermostatic device to the source, and WOLDEMAR HAUPT, a circuit breaker in said connection con- HENRY HASPER. 

